Bike King Cycling

Bicycling is a 365-day-a-year job for Ed Preston.

Preston, who has owned Bike King Cycling since 2008, generally rides one of his nine bikes on the 18-mile roundtrip to and from the store each day. He rides every day of the year – except when snow is on the ground.

“Riding a bike is fun,” Preston said with an ear-to-ear smile. “If it’s not, take up baseball.”

Preston, of Hulmeville, began working at Guy’s Bicycles in 1983 as a teenager. A few years later, he traded his bike peddling career for one in engineering. In the 1990s, Preston struggled in his trade, which eventually led him back to bicycling.

At his shop, which is in the Big Oak Shopping Center, Preston stocks a wide variety of more than 150 new bikes, with 74 on the sales floor. He sells bikes from Giant, Liv, Pinarello and Sun. He accepts trade-ins and services and repairs all makes and models of bikes, including Trek, Cannondale, Specialized and Raleigh, as well as any department store bike.

Bike King also sells bike-related gear, including shoes, helmets and more.

He sees customers from Bucks County, New Jersey and even regulars who bring him cannoli from Staten Island, N.Y.

His shop offers something for everyone, from novice to pro.

“Most people’s misconception about a bike shop is it’s for professionals,” he said. “We carry bikes for 3-year-olds and 83-year-olds.”

Preston’s experience helps him guide customers in finding the best bike for them. The most important aspect of fitting a bike correctly is considering size.

“People don’t realize how important size is,” he said. “Your body is a machine that just adapts.”

Finding the right bike from a size standpoint will feel better instantly, he said.

“Don’t be afraid to walk into a bike store,” he said. “You’re buying me, someone who’s been doing this for 34 years.”

Even before he worked in bikes, Preston was a bike-lover at heart. His first bike was a red banana seat that he received at age 10. A 1979 Schwinn Varsity was the first bike he bought on his own – but it wouldn’t be his last.

A 1967 Schwinn Fastback is among the bikes in his collection today.

“They’re all different,” Preston said of the nine bikes he owns and rides.

An amateur racer, Preston, in 1984, rode cross country, flying to Missouri to see his brother in the Navy and pedaling his way home over a 22-day ride with only two days off. He has not raced since 2007 and now considers himself an “enthusiast.”

“I enjoy it,” Preston said of his life on a bike and helping others to find the best set of wheels. “I love riding my bike. I love doing this.”

To learn more

Bike King Cycling is located at 364 W. Trenton Ave., in Morrisville. The store is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store is closed on Tuesday and Sunday. For more information, call 215-736-3350 or visit http://www.bikeking.com/